Tardigrades Nature’s Toughest Survivors

Tardigrades Nature’s Toughest Survivors (CSIRO) Anne Morgan & Jennifer Falkner PB RRP $24.99 9781486316052

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Anne Morgan is a seasoned award-winning author who lives in Tasmania.  She has a PhD in writing for which she won the university medal. Her picture book The Way of the Weedy Seadragon (CSIRO Publishing, 2021) was a CBCA Notable Book and shortlisted in the Wilderness Society’s Environment Award for Children’s Literature.

Jennifer Falkner is an illustrator based in Perth. Her work is inspired by her passion for nature, the antics of her two boys and her time spent working in South-East Asia. 

Tardigrades are micro critters that have incredible survival powers. This book is a journey of discovery about these fascinating creatures which are even older than dinosaurs and still here on earth.

Anne Morgan’s text shows the reader why Tardigrades are so fascinating and special. The opening page is an invitation to find out more. By comparing Tardigrades to animals and humans, the reader sees why they are so tough. But one kind of creature can survive extreme dangers that would kill almost every other organisation. They must be World Champion Survivors! By sharing extreme places, they are found Morgan shows their toughness without having to say too much about them. Their true name is not shown in the beginning, so the reader page turns to discover. Can you guess what these animals are yet?

Questions are used as an invitation to think as well as seek the answer. The language is simple but effective. Tardigrades might look like caterpillars in sleeping bags, but they’re not insects. Morgan uses what a child knows to help them understand and learn about Tardigrades. She tells us what they are not to show what they are. The words lead the reader to keep on reading. But the Tardigrades have an even more fascinating trick. The information is fresh and fascinating with the sharing of facts, like suspended animation. Morgan also allows a child’s imagination to play. The backmatter is great for further learning and understanding and teachers will really appreciate this. A detailed glossary is helpful and educational too.

Jennifer Falkner’s illustrations are informative yet playful. The cover is eye-catching with its space background and a colourful circular design around the title shows Tardigrades and extreme places you will find them. The endpapers feature many Tardigrades on a pale blue background blowing in the wind just like they do in real life. Extra visual information is shared that supports the text beautifully. For example, tough animals are mentioned and then the illustrations feature lots of tough animals. Perspective is used to advantage and playful imagination. White space is used sparingly but to great effect. The Tardigrades even look quite comical which gives them likeability as book characters. The colour palette varies and enhances the text. The visuals in the backmatter have both detail and a fun element.

Tardigrades Nature’s Toughest Survivors is a picture book that is intriguing and interesting about a fascinating topic. Children do like learning about unusual creatures that have superpowers so this book will capture interest. It will appeal to children, parents, teachers and librarians Those with a special interest in science will really enjoy and appreciate this book. It’s a fascinating read for children 5-9 years.

 

The Cheeky Toddler Alphabet

The Cheeky Toddler Alphabet by Davina Bell and Jennifer Falkner (Hachette) HB PB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9780734422101

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Davina Bell is an award-winning and bestselling author. What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say was the winner of the ABIA Children's Picture Book of the Year Award 2023 and a CBCA Notable Picture Book of the Year 2023.

Jennifer Falkner is a critically acclaimed illustrator.

The Cheeky Toddler Alphabet is an A-to-Z celebration of the chaos and tenderness of the toddler years – the ones that bring the most incredible joys and frustrations. The times as a parent you wouldn’t trade for anything, or would you?

Bell is skilful and masterful with her use of words and how she layers meaning. She knows how to pull on heart strings and capture the magic of the everyday. You may think this is just another alphabet book but don’t be deceived. The story weaving with each letter makes reading this book fun for both child and parent. It really does have dual appeal. It feels like you are chatting with your toddler as you read along. A is for aeroplane, all-gone and ant. And the apple you bit and then dropped in a plant. B is for bubbles and bee-buzz in blossoms. For bruises and bottles and bare bathtime bottoms. The choice of words and writing techniques used like wonderful alliteration make this book sing as a read aloud. Bell is always highly original and inventive when she writes, and she captures hearts so well.

Falkner’s lush illustrations bring out the imaginary world of a child so delightfully. The characters of mother and child are touching and show a love bond that is much more powerful than words. She has captured the joy, innocence and learning of toddler years with such heart and detail. Everything is new for a toddler and those moments are captured in a way that show both the joys and frustrations. The illustrations are like a song with the words and pattern of the alphabet being a framework for a regular rhythm of both loud and soft visual storytelling. She uses full pages, double spreads and vignettes to great effect.

The Cheeky Toddler Alphabet is a tender, playful read for children aged three years and up.

This book is sure to appeal to parents, toddlers, preschoolers and early-childhood teachers. It is structured in a way to not only be fun but also educational.

Fairy Beach

Fairy Beach by Sheila Knaggs and Jennifer Falkner (Affirm Press) HB PB RRP $22.99 ISBN 9781922848147

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Sheila Knaggs immigrated to Australia at age fifteen. Her childhood was spent on the little island called the Isle of Man where even today it is still considered most unlucky to cross the fairy bridge without saying hello to the fairies. Much of her spare time is spent writing heartfelt and inspirational verse. This is her debut picture book.

Jennifer Falkner is an illustrator and designer based in Perth. Her inspiration comes from Australian flora and fauna and a childhood playing and exploring the beaches and bush in Western Australia. Fairy Beach is her sixth picture book.

This is an Australian fairy story that celebrates beach days and takes the reader on journey of discovery to find out what happens at the beach after dark.

Knaggs has drawn upon her childhood and deep love of Australia to create this delightful text written in poetic verse. The story starts with a call to go to the beach. Knaggs reveals a hint of something special coming. The magic is waiting- come follow the sun. As the family is leaving the beach the scene is set and the anticipation builds. But when light starts to fade then it’s time you’re away. The page turns and vocabulary delight. The coast does a curtsy, the sea wildly waves, and the sand sprites sneak out of the beach caves. Strong verbs feature and the fairy playfulness and love of the beach and ocean shines. We usually expect fairies in a garden or the bush, so it is unique to have them appear at the beach. The title is immediately catchy Fairy Beach. Knaggs brings imagination out to play and she taps into the wonder of being a child. The ending makes you smile and hope that one day you may just find a fairy at the beach.

Falkner’s whimsical illustrations bring the joy of the beach and sand sprites to life in the most endearing way. She creates a cheeky playfulness with the fairies at the beach that has such wonderful child appeal. Although very different to Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie the illustrations have that same wondrous appeal. You want to believe that the sand sprites are real and maybe they are. The movement of the fairies is captured beautifully as they dash, and dart and play. Curly waves and twinkly fairy lights change the beach into a wonderland. Falkner has paid great attention to detail on every page and the more you look the more you see. There is a soft and gentle beauty in the stunning illustrations.

Fairy Beach is a truly special and unique Australian fairy story that is sure to appeal to children aged 2-7 years. Fairies are always popular and appealing to children. They do spark little imaginations. Even for little people the world is such a busy place so a book like this is a perfect escape for them. I can see this book being popular with children, parents, librarians and teachers.